Conduit fluid containment system with automatic shut-off

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a conduit that is at least partially encased within a containment housing. The containment housing provides structure for containment of fluids from a leaking or totally failed conduit and for automatically shutting off the flow of fluid through the leaking conduit. More particularly, the apparatus comprises at least one conduit that is at least partially received within a containment housing. A valve is attached to the conduit so that it is in fluid flow relationship with the conduit. The valve is biased toward a closed position, but is held in the open position by a block located within the containment chamber defined by the space between the exterior of the conduit and the interior of the containment housing. When a predetermined fluid leaks from the conduit into the containment chamber the fluid structurally alters the block and the valve moves to the closed position blocking the flow of fluid through the conduit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the field of apparatus forcontaining fluids lost from a leaking or ruptured conduits thatautomatically shuts off the flow of fluid through the leaking conduit.More specifically, the present invention relates to at least oneconduit, for use with various fluids, that is at least partiallyreceived within a containment housing that includes a valve thatautomatically shuts off the flow of fluid through the leaking conduitwhen fluids enter the space between the conduit and the containmenthousing.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It is well known that the loss of fluids from leaking pipes, hoses andother conduits create safety hazards, cause damage to the environmentand cause damage to the equipment incorporating the fluid lines. Ruptureor leakage from pipes or hoses that are conducting oils, hydraulic fluidand the like can cause environmental contamination of the adjacentground or to a body of water into which the fluid may leak. The ruptureof conduits carrying flammable fluids may not only contaminate theenvironment, but may also create a fire hazard, if the hoses leak ontohot surfaces, open flames, or close to sparks. Fluid lines connectinghome appliances to water sources are normally left under pressure.Rupture of these pressurized water lines permits large quantities ofwater to flood the homes, causing extensive damage to the homes and thecontents thereof.

One example of a hydraulic safety hose is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No.5,156,190 that was issued to Colin R. Staley, JR. The apparatusdisclosed comprises a pipe tee that mounts over the hydraulic hose andis connected to an outer sheath that encloses the hose. Any leakage fromthe hydraulic hose into the space between the hose and the sheath iscollected by the tee which is attached to a drain. Within the tee is anelectrically operated valve that is attached to a fluid sensor thatcloses the valve upon sensing fluids between the jacket and thehydraulic hose.

Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,069, which was issued to RaymondRichards. This patent discloses a fluid sensing tape that is wrappedabout a pipe. The tape is electrically connected to a controller that isconnected to a valve inserted within the pipe. Fluids that leak from thepipe will have a tendency to be collected by the tape which signals thecontroller to close the valve cutting off the flow of fluid through theleaking pipe.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,608,205, 4,413,643 and 3,512,556 issued to RalphProctor, Thore Wiklund and Serge McKhann, respectively, disclose doublewalled hoses having the space between the outer hose and the inner hosepressurized with other fluids so that a breakage in the outer hose willclose a valve that shuts off the flow of fluid through the inner hose.

Many of these patents are concerned about a breach in the exterior hosecaused by exterior sources, such as digging into buried lines. Thesepatents do not address the failure of the central hose due to fatiguefrom long term pressurization. Pressurizing the exterior hose createsthe same rate of fatigue as the inner hose with the same risk of failuredue to that fatigue. All the systems are complex, requiring a supply ofelectricity and/or pressurization equipment for pressurizing the spacebetween the inner hose and the outer hose. It is obvious that there is aneed for a simple, cost effective conduit fluid containment system tocollect fluids leaking from the conduit upon its failure that alsoautomatically cuts off the flow of fluid through the conduit to preventfluid loss and to prevent the damage that the fluid does to thesurrounding area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide an apparatus, for conducting fluids from afluid source to a fluid receiver, that will control the fluid beingleaked and reduce the loss of fluid by cutting off its flow proximal thesource. The apparatus should be inexpensive and reliable without complexparts or the requirement for electrical circuitry or structure forproviding pressurization.

To achieve the forgoing and other objects that will become apparent tothose skilled in the art, this invention provides apparatus forcollecting fluids that are leaking from a conduit and shutting off thefluid flow through that conduit shortly after leakage commences. Theapparatus of this invention comprises at least one conduit having aninlet end and an outlet end and at least one containment housing thatreceives at least a portion of the conduit therein forming a spacebetween the inner surface of the containment housing and the outersurface of the conduit defined as a containment chamber. A valve isattached in fluid flow relationship to the conduit. An arm is attachedto the valve and is movable from an open position, defined as when afluid is able to pass through the valve, to a closed position, definedas when fluid is unable to flow through the valve. A means for biasingthe valve to the closed position is attached to the valve and engagesthe containment housing. An air vent is formed in the containmenthousing so that when fluid leaks into the containment chamber the fluidmay displace the air therein. A block engages the arm and the housingholding the valve in the open position. When a predetermined fluidenters the containment chamber the fluid structurally alters the blockreleasing the arm so that the biasing means moves the valve to theclosed position shutting off the fluid flow through the valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the apparatus of thisinvention, showing its attachment to a fluid source, a fluid receiverand to a drain, which are shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the invention of figure one withportions broken away for convenience;

FIG. 3 is a detailed plan view of a portion of the invention of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is the view of FIG. 3 with the cover plate removed to illustratethe valve arm in the open position;

FIG. 5 is the view of FIG. 4 illustrating the valve arm in the closedposition;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional detailed front elevational view of a portionof the invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention,showing its attachment to a fluid source, a fluid receiver and to adrain, which are shown in phantom;

FIG. 9 is a detailed cross sectional view of a portion of the inventionof FIG. 8 illustrating the valve;

FIG. 10 is a detailed top plan view of the Y connector of the inventionof FIG. 8 with portions broken away.

FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the y connector of FIG. 10 illustratingits connection to the fluid receiver, as shown in FIG. 8.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

One embodiment of the apparatus of this invention is illustrated inFIGS. 1-7 and a second embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 8-10, andbecause of the general similarity of certain portions of each of theseembodiments with the corresponding portions of the other, the embodimentof FIGS. 1-7 will be described in detail below and the second embodimentof the apparatus will be described with reference to the differencesbetween the two embodiments. The first embodiment will be indicatedgenerally as 10, in FIGS. 1-7, while the second embodiment will beindicated generally as 210 in FIGS. 8-10. Those elements of the secondembodiment that are the same as the elements in the first embodimentwill be identified by the same reference numbers increased by the number200.

As seen in FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 is illustrated as being connected toa fluid source, conveniently water spigot 12, and a fluid receiver 14,conveniently a washing machine 14. The particular use of the inventionas a water supply hose for a washing machine is for illustrativepurposes only, as the invention 10 may be used for many differentpurposes, including but not limited to water supply lines to otherappliances, water, gas or oil lines in marine equipment that are notreadily accessible, equipment hydraulic lines, and fluid lines inmanufacturing plants for transfer of toxic and/or corrosive fluids. Theinvention is particularly appropriate where the escape of fluid wouldcreate substantial damage and automatic shut off of the fluid flow wouldbe of value.

For clarity, the apparatus 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, illustratesa single water supply hose, but it is well known that two separate hosesare required to separately supply hot and cold water to washingmachines. As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 the apparatus 10 comprises atleast one conduit, shown generally as 16, that has an outlet end 18 andan inlet end 20. The conduit 16 further comprises a first section 22that includes the outlet end 18, a third section 24 that includes theinlet end 20 and a second section 26 that is interposed between andconnected in fluid flow relationship with the first section 22 and thethird section 24. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the firstsection 22 is comprised of a rigid synthetic resin; however, it may bemade from metal, such as steel or aluminum, or any other well knownmaterial suitable for the purpose. The third section 24 is alsocomprised of a rigid material that may be the same material from whichthe first section 22 is constructed. The second section 26 in theembodiment illustrated is comprised of a standard flexible rubber waterhose that is typically used to attach appliances to water sources.Certainly other materials may be used with satisfactory results as waterhoses are also made from plastic and rubber, and plastic and rubberhoses may be reinforced with nylon fiber or steel mesh. It must beunderstood that the materials used for washing machine hoses, theillustrated usage of the invention 10, may not be suitable for otherusages of the apparatus 10. The fluid being transported in the conduit16 will dictate the particular materials from which the apparatus ismade, and those skilled in the art will be able to select theappropriate materials. For example, if acid or other caustic materialswere being transported, the conduit 16 would necessarily be made frommaterials resistant to the corrosive effects of those fluids.

As best seen in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the first section 22 has a second end28 and the third section 24 has a first end 30. The second section 26has a first end 32 and a second end 34. On the second end 28 of thefirst section 22 and on the first end 30 of the third section 24 areformed concentric projections 36a and 36b, respectively, that aresimilar to threads but with sharper edges on the lands, convenientlybarbs 36. The water tight connection between the first section 22 andthe second section 26 is made by forcing the first end 32 of theflexible hose 26 over the barbed portion of the second end 28 of thefirst section 22 to create a friction fit. To ensure that the jointremains tight a crimped band 38a is wrapped tightly about the joint. Awater tight connection is made about the second end 34 of the secondsection 26 with the first end 30 of the third section 24 in the samemanner. The sections 22, 24 and 26 may be joined to one another by usingthreaded couplings or any other method known by those skilled in the artthat is suitable for the purpose.

The invention 10 further comprises a containment housing 40 that has afirst end 42 and a second end 44. The containment housing 40 furthercomprises a first part 46, which includes the first end 42 and has asecond end 48, and a second part 50, which includes the second end 44and has a first end 52. The first end 42 of the containment housing 40is attached to an L shaped leg 54 that is formed contiguous with thefirst section 22 of the conduit 16. The leg 54 due to its L shape isspaced apart from the first section 22 and has a plurality of barbs 36cformed on the outwardly facing side 56. The first part 46 of thecontainment housing 40 is comprised of a flexible hose that in apreferred embodiment is made from woven polyester. In other embodiments,the flexible hose of the first part 46 may include a urethane innerlining. Other flexible hose material, including but not limited toelastomeric materials (including polyvinyl), rubber and other well knownmaterials, are also suitable for the purpose. Being flexible, the firstend 42 of the first part 46 of the containment housing 40 is forced overthe barbs 36c on the leg 56 to provide a watertight friction fit. Again,to ensure that the connection remains tight a crimped band 38c istightly bound about the first end 42 of the first part 46. The secondpart 50 of the containment housing 40 is comprised of a rigid materialthat may be a generally rigid synthetic resin or may be made from metal,including but not limited to steel and aluminum. Barbs 36d are formed onthe first end 52 of the second part 50 so that the second end 48 of thefirst part 46 may be forced over the barbs 36d to form a watertightfriction fit that is retained by a crimped band 38d.

The outlet end 18 of the fluid conduit 16 has a standard female coupling58 attached thereto for attachment to an appliance such as the washingmachine 14 shown in FIG. 1. The inlet end 20 of the conduit 16 also hasa threaded female coupling 58 attached thereto so that the inlet end 20of the conduit 16 may be attached to a water spigot 12 as shown in FIG.1.

The interior surface 59 of the containment housing 40 is spaced apartfrom the exterior surface 61 of the conduit 16 to create a containmentchamber 60 therebetween. The containment chamber 60 of the second part50 of the containment housing 40 is enlarged to accommodate a valve 62,a portion of which in a preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 isformed contiguously with the second part 50 of the containment housing40 and the third section 24 of the conduit 16. The valve 62, in apreferred embodiment, is a ball valve having a ball 64 with a bore 65therethrough. The ball 64 is inserted between two portions of the thirdsection 24 of the conduit 16. The ends of these portions each have abell shaped end 66 that forms a water tight seal with the ball 64 of theball valve 62. A valve stem 68 is attached to the bail 64 and extendsaway from and generally normal to the conduit 16 and engages theinterior surface 59 of the second part 50 of the containment housing 40.While in a preferred embodiment, the valve 62 is a ball valve, in otherembodiments the valve 62 may be a butterfly valve, gate valve (includinga sliding gate), a globe valve or any other well known valve suitablefor the purpose.

The first end 72 of an arm 70 is attached to the valve stem 68 and thesecond end 74 of the arm 70 extends away from and is generally normal tothe valve stem 68. A biasing means, conveniently spring 76 is mountedadjacent to the valve 62 so that one end of the spring 78 is attached tothe valve stem 68 and the other end 80 engages the second part 50 of thecontainment housing 40. In the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 4-7 thespring is a spiral wound clock type spring; however, any standard typeof spring or spring type material may be successfully used to bias thearm 70 to the closed position of the valve 62 which is defined as thatposition when fluid entering the inlet end 20 of the conduit 16 isunable to flow through the valve and is prevented from entering thesecond section 26 and the first section 22 and therefore from exitingthe outlet end 18 of the conduit 16. By pivoting the arm from openposition as shown in FIG. 4 through approximately 90 degrees of rotationthe valve 62 will be moved to the closed position as shown in FIG. 5.

A block 82 engages a portion of the valve 62, specifically the arm 70,and engages the containment housing 40 preventing the arm from pivotingin the clockwise direction, the direction by which the arm 70 is biasedby the spring 76. The block 82 engages an area of the interior surface59 of the containment housing 40 that forms a seat to hold the block 82firmly between the arm 72 and the containment housing 40.

The choice of materials from which the block 82 is constructed dependsupon the fluid that is being transported through the apparatus 10. Whenthe fluid being transported leaks into the containment chamber 60 andimmerses the block 82, the material must be sufficiently structurallyaltered upon immersion in the fluid so that the arm 70 may pivot,closing the valve 62. In the embodiment in which the apparatus 10 isused to transport water to appliances, the material must be alterable bywater. In a preferred embodiment, the block 82 is comprised ofpulverized acrylic particles that are bonded to one another by a watersoluble adhesive, for example, National Starch & Chemical Co. adhesive#13-1200, a borated dextrin. Other water soluble adhesives that are wellknown in the art, may be used to bind other fractured material, materialthat is comprised of separable parts, such as sand or any other materialthat is fractured or broken into small enough parts so that the arm 70is clear to pivot after the binding adhesive has been removed by thewater.

The block 82 may also be made from a material that is generally solublein water, including but not limited to, salt, sugar, or starch andgypsum based materials. When the block 82 dissolves in the water the arm70 is free to pivot.

In other embodiments the block 82 may be made form materials that deformor become deformable upon immersion in water. For example, sponges(natural or synthetic) and materials treated with soluble stiffeningagents, such as fabric treated with starch or gypsum base materials,that form a hard block when the material is generally dry and softenswhen immersed in water. Cardboard, and other materials known in the art,also soften and deform when wet and placed under pressure by a biasingmeans, spring 76, and the arm 70. Due to the residue of material leftafter deformation, the size of the block 82 must be sufficient to allowadequate deformation so that the arm 70 pivots far enough to move thevalve 62 to the closed position.

The block 82 may be solid, perforated with one or more holes andconstructed in any suitable shape to hold the arm 70 in the openposition. A gel coat, similar to the coatings applied to aspirin, andwell known in the art, may be applied to the block 82 to reduce theeffect of high humidity being present within the invention 10.

When a fluid other than water, including but not limited to, oil orhydraulic fluid, is being transported through the apparatus 10,different materials may have to be used. Some of those materialspreviously mentioned as alterable by water may also be sufficientlyalterable in oil or hydraulic fluid. In a preferred embodiment, a block82 formed from certain plastics, for example expanded polystyrene, whichwould be dissolved by aromatic hydrocarbons, and celluloseacetate-butyrate, which would be softened and deformable, will bedissolved or deformed by aromatic hydrocarbons and allow the arm 70 topivot, closing the valve 62. There are many other materials includingcertain light rubbers that are altered by immersion in petroleum orother aromatic hydrocarbons that are well known in the art and may beused to form the block 82.

A stop 84 extends radially inwardly from the interior surface of thesecond part 50 of the containment housing 40. When the arm 70 isreleased, the stop 84 engages the arm 70, to prevent the arm 70 fromrotating beyond 90 degrees, beyond the closed position.

A vent tube 86 is attached to the apparatus 10 proximal to the secondend 44 of the second part 50 of the containment housing 40 so that thetube 86 is in fluid flow relationship with the containment chamber 60. Aflexible hose 88 is sized and configured so that one end may be insertedover the free end of the vent tube 86 on which barbs 36e have beenformed to engage the interior of the vent hose 88. To ensure a tight fita crimped band 38e as shown in FIG. 2 may be bound around the vent hose88 proximal the barbs 36e. The free end of the vent hose 88 is sized andconfigured to be received by a drain pipe 90, that is shown in phantomin FIG. 1.

The second embodiment, disclosed in FIGS. 8-10, has many of the sameelements as the first embodiment 10 shown in drawing FIGS. 1-7. Theconduit (enclosed by the containment housing, but not shown) and thecontainment housing 240 are made in the same manner as the conduit 16and the containment housing 40 previously disclosed. A major differencein the second embodiment 210 is the addition of a bypass conduit 292that is comprised of a single walled hose. In other embodiments, thebypass hose 292 could be a double walled hose with the containmentchamber connected in fluid flow relationship with the second part 250 ofthe containment housing 240. A standard two-way valve 294 is substitutedfor the ball valve 62 shown in FIG. 7; however, the remaining structureof the means for closing the valve remains the same. The bypass conduit292 is connected to the valve 294 so that when the valve 294 is open inrelation to the conduit 216, the valve 294 is closed in relation to thebypass conduit 292, as seen in FIG. 9. When the valve 294 is closed inrelation to the conduit 216, the valve 294 is open in relation to thebypass conduit 292 so that fluid continues to flow, but now through thebypass conduit 292. The female coupling 258 on the outlet end 218 ofconduit 216 is connected to the second inlet branch 296 of a Y-shapedcoupling 298 and the female connector 258 of the bypass conduit 292 isattached to the first inlet branch 300 of the connector 298. The outletbranch 302 is then connected to the fluid receiver, conveniently washingmachine 214. Therefore, when a leak occurs in the conduit 216, the valvetransfers the fluid flow to the bypass conduit 292 with littleinterruption of the fluid flow.

As mentioned previously, the structure for rotating the valve 294 fromthe open position to the closed position remains the same as thestructure (valve stem 68, arm 70 spring 76, block 82 and stop 80)adjacent to the valve 62 as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7. The secondembodiment Comprises the same valve stem, arm, spring, block and stop(all not shown) that are attached to valve 294 in the same mannerdisclosed in the previous discussion and shown in the drawings. Thevalve stem is attached to the valve 294 so that the valve stem extendsalong the axis A of the valve 294 as shown in FIG. 9. Upon failure ofconduit 216, the fluid will flow through the hole in conduit 216, enterthe comment chamber 260, dissolve the fluid soluble block (not shown)releasing the arm (not shown) so that the arm (not shown) rotates thevalve stem (not shown) that rotates valve 292 about axis A,approximately 90 degrees. Upon a 90 degree rotation of the valve 294,the portion of the conduit 216 formed in the valve 294 is rotated awayfrom and disconnected from the inlet end 220 of the conduit 216 and theportion of the bypass conduit 292 that is formed in the valve 294 isrotated so that portion is in fluid flow relation with the inlet end 220of conduit 216 and the bypass conduit 292.

A first and second standard backflow preventer 304a and 304brespectively, have been inserted into the first and second inletbranches, 300 and 296 respectively, of the connector 298. Such backflowpreventers are well known in the art and their structure will not bediscussed herein. The first backflow preventer 304a prevents prevent thebypass conduit 292 from being charged with fluid when the apparatus 210is under normal operation. When a leak occurs the second backflowpreventer 304b prevents the fluid from entering the conduit 216 andleaking into the containment chamber 260 through the failed area in theconduit 216. Ball valves may be inserted in place of the backflowpreventers, but they would prevent the automatic transfer of fluid flowthrough the bypass conduit upon failure of the conduit 216.

Now that the apparatus has been described, the method of operation of apreferred embodiment the present invention will be described as itrelates to providing water to a washing machine as shown in FIG. 1. Thefemale coupling 58 that is attached to the inlet end 20 of the conduit16 of apparatus 10 is connected to a water spigot 12. The femalecoupling 58 attached to the outlet end 18 of the apparatus 10 is thenattached to the appropriate hot water or cold water pipes of the washingmachine 14. With the couplings 58 tightly fastened the water spigot 12is turned to the on position permitting the water to flow through theconduit 16. For ease of handling and cost concerns, the second section26 of the conduit 16 is comprised of rubber, which is the standard forthe washing machine hose industry. When a leak occurs, water will enterthe containment chamber 60 filling the chamber until the water exitsthrough the vent hose 88. The vent tube 86 prevents air from beingtrapped in the apparatus 10 that might interfere with the immersion ofthe soluble block in the fluid. Upon being immersed in the water, thewater soluble block 82 rapidly dissolves. Once the soluble block 82 hasbeen dissolved, the arm 74 rotates in a clockwise direction until itengages the stop 84. The rotation of the arm 70, the valve stem 68 andthe ball 64 causes the bore 65 to rotate 90 degrees closing the valveand preventing any flow of water through the conduit 16. The open end ofthe hose 88 may be inserted into a drain 90 so that the water flows downthe drain doing no damage.

In the second preferred embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 theapparatus 210 is again shown being used with a washing machine 14 as amatter of convenience. The use of a bypass hose is important in thoseareas in which failure of the primary hose or conduit 16 would causeshutdown in the operation of an important system. By continuation of theflow through the bypass conduit 292 the apparatus receiving the fluidmay remain in operation. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, theapparatus 210 is attached to the water spigot 212 by the female coupling258 that is attached to the first end 220 of the conduit 216. The femalecoupling 258 that is attached to the connector 298 is attached to theappropriate hot water or cold water input pipe of the washing machine214. The water spigot 212 may then be opened so that water flows throughthe valve 294 and through the conduit 216. Upon failure of the conduit216 water again collects within the containment chamber 260 until thesoluble block is emersed and dissolves. On dissolving the block 82, thespring (not shown) rotates the valve stem (not shown) 90 degrees. Thevalve 294 is now aligned so that fluid may enter the inlet end 220 andpass through the bypass conduit 292, through the second inlet branch 300and into the washing machine 214. Water is prevented from backing upthrough the second inlet branch 296 and into the conduit 216 by the backflow preventer 304b that is inserted within that branch. Excess waterthat has collected within the containment chamber 260 will flow outthrough the vent 286 until the valve is rotated, therefore a hose 288connects the vent 286 with a drain for appropriate disposal of theexcess fluid.

While the foregoing description is directed to particularly preferredembodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that thoseembodiments are representative only of the principles of the inventionand are not to be considered limitative thereof. Because numerousvariations and modifications of the apparatus, all within the scope ofthe present invention, will become apparent to those skilled in the art,the scope of the invention is to be limited solely by the claimsappended hereto.

What is claimed:
 1. Apparatus for conducting fluids from a fluid sourceto a fluid receiver and for controlling fluid loss therefrom, saidapparatus comprising:at least one conduit having an outer surface, aninlet end and an outlet end; at least one containment housing having aninner surface, a first end and a second end, said containment housingbeing sized and configured to receive at least a portion of said conduittherein, such that a containment chamber is defined between said outersurface of said conduit and said inner surface of said containmenthousing; a valve attached in fluid flow relationship to said conduit; anarm having a first end attached to said valve for movement of said valvefrom an open position, defined as when a fluid is able to pass throughsaid valve, to a closed position, defined as when a fluid is unable toflow through said valve; means for biasing said valve to said closedposition being attached to said valve; an air vent formed in saidcontainment housing such that when a fluid enters said containmentchamber at least a portion of the air is vented from said containmentchamber; and a block, having a first end and a second end, said blockinserted within said containment chamber such that said first end ofsaid block engages and holds said arm in said open position and saidsecond end of said block being connected to said containment housing,said block being structurally alterable by a fluid whereby when saidfluid enters said containment chamber through a breach in said conduit,said fluid at least partially immerses said block so that said block isstructurally altered releasing said arm, so that said valve is moved tosaid closed position by said biasing means.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1wherein said block is comprised of fluid soluble material.
 3. Apparatusas in claim 1 wherein said block is comprised of fractured materialwhose parts are bound to one another by a fluid soluble adhesive. 4.Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said block is comprised of material thatis deformable when immersed in a predetermined fluid.
 5. Apparatus as inclaim 1 further comprising a valve stem attached to said valve such thatrotation of said valve stem moves said valve from said open position tosaid closed position, said biasing means urging said valve stem to saidclosed position; said first end of said arm being attached to said valvestem and said arm having a second end extending therefrom; and saidblock engaging said second end of said arm so that said arm and saidvalve stem are prevented from pivoting, whereby said valve is held insaid open position.
 6. Apparatus as in claim 1, said conduit comprising;a first section, that includes said outlet end, said first section beingcomprised of a rigid material; a third section, that includes said inletend, said third section being comprised of a rigid material, and asecond section interposed between and connected in fluid flowrelationship with said first and third sections, said second sectionbeing comprised of a flexible material; and said containment housingcomprising a first part, including said first end, said first part beingcomprised of a flexible material and a second part, including saidsecond end, said second part being comprised of a rigid material, saidfirst and second parts being attached to one another in fluid flowcommunication; and said valve being inserted in said third section ofsaid conduit and attached to said second part of said housing. 7.Apparatus as in claim 6, said apparatus further comprising said thirdsegment of said conduit being contiguously formed with said second partof said containment housing.
 8. Apparatus as in claim 1 furthercomprising a drain line having a first end attached to said vent and asecond end connectable to a drain pipe, whereby the fluid overflowingsaid containment chamber through said vent is captured by said drainpipe.
 9. Apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising;a bypass conduithaving a first end and a second end, said first end being attached tosaid valve and extending outwardly therefrom, said bypass conduitpassing through and being sealed to said containment housing, when saidvalve is in said open position in relation to said conduit, said valveis closed in relation to said bypass conduit such that no fluid may passthrough said valve into said bypass conduit, when said valve is closedin relation to said conduit said conduit is in fluid flow relationshipwith said valve and thereby in fluid flow relationship with said inletend of said conduit.
 10. Apparatus as in claim 9, further comprising aY-shaped connector having a first inlet branch, a second inlet branch,and an outlet branch, said first inlet branch being attached in fluidflow relationship with said outlet end of said bypass conduit, saidsecond inlet branch being attached in fluid flow relationship with saidsecond end of said conduit and said outlet branch of said connectorhaving an outlet end, said outlet end of said outlet branch beingconnectable to a fluid receiver.
 11. Apparatus as in claim 10, furthercomprising a first backflow preventer being attached to said connectorwithin said first outlet branch of said connector, such that fluidflowing in said conduit is prevented from entering said bypass conduitfrom said Y-shaped coupling.
 12. Apparatus as in claim 10, furthercomprising a second backflow preventer being attached to said connectorwithin said second outlet branch of said connector, such that fluidflowing in said bypass conduit is prevented from entering said conduitfrom said Y-shaped coupling.